Let me start with a familiar story; I’m sure you’ve heard it before. It is both lighthearted and profound.
A man lived in a flood-prone area, and when the rains came, the waters began rising rapidly around his house. As the water reached his porch, he climbed onto his roof and prayed earnestly, “God, please save me! I have faith that you will rescue me!”
Soon, a neighbor came by in a rowboat and shouted, “Jump in! I’ll take you to safety!” But the man waved him off, calling back, “No thanks! I’m waiting for God to save me. I have faith!”
The water kept rising. A little later, an emergency rescue boat arrived, and the crew called out, “Sir, we’re here to help! Climb aboard!” Again, the man refused: “I appreciate it, but God is going to save me! I’m trusting in him!”
As the water reached the roof line, a helicopter appeared overhead and dropped a rescue ladder. The pilot’s voice boomed through a megaphone: “This is your last chance! Grab the ladder!” But the man waved them away, shouting back, “God will provide! I have complete faith!”
Tragically, the man drowned. When he reached heaven, he approached God with confusion and disappointment. “Lord,” he said, “I had such faith in you! Why didn’t you save me?”
God looked at him with compassion and replied, “My dear son, I sent you a rowboat, a rescue boat, and a helicopter. What more did you expect?” (End of the story.)
How often do we find ourselves like this man? We pray for God to speak to us, to guide us, and to show us His will – yet we miss His voice because we’re expecting something different from how He communicates.
Perhaps it’s because we often discuss how to pray rather than how to listen. Our communication with God has become a one-way ticket—we speak to God without knowing how to hear God’s voice. To have a healthy relationship, we must learn to listen.
Last week, we discussed Philip’s request to Jesus to show the heavenly Father to him and his fellow disciples, and that they would be satisfied. Jesus said, after all these years of being with him, why they still had not recognized that Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus is the answer to human desire to see and know God, but they still expect God to show up differently, just like the man on the rooftop.
Now, we live in the time of the Holy Spirit. Instead of appreciating the presence of the Holy Spirit, some might ask to see God or Jesus. God would say, I have given you the Holy Spirit, and you still ask me to show myself to you? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one!
Not only is God with us today through the Holy Spirit, but Jesus also says He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit today. Let’s develop the ability to hear Jesus’ voice so that we don’t stand on the rooftop wondering why Jesus doesn’t talk to us. Let’s begin!
The scripture lesson for this week, Trinity Sunday, is from the Gospel of John 16:12-15. Listen to the word of the Lord!
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
14 He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:12–15).
[Blessed are those who delight in God’s Word. Thanks be to God!]
This passage comes at a crucial moment in Jesus’ ministry. He’s preparing his disciples for his departure, and they’re struggling with confusion and fear. Last week, we saw Philip asking Jesus to show them the Father, completely missing that God was right there with them in Christ.
Now Jesus addresses another possible concern that some might ask, “Lord, how will we hear from you when you’re gone?”
Notice the repetitive emphasis on communication in these four verses. Jesus uses words like “say,” “guide,” “speak,” and “declare” – six different terms in Greek for communication. This isn’t accidental. Jesus wants his disciples to understand that his departure doesn’t mean the end of divine communication. Instead, it marks the beginning of a new and better way of hearing God’s voice.
The passage reveals three crucial truths about how Jesus speaks to us today:
First, Jesus has more to say to us.
He says,
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (Jn 16:12).
When Jesus says, “I still have many things to say to you,” he uses the present tense as an ongoing reality. Jesus didn’t exhaust his teaching with the disciples in those three years. He continues to speak, continues to reveal, and continues to guide. His relationship with us doesn’t end; it transforms.
But notice the tender limitation: “but you cannot bear them now.” Jesus understands our human capacity. He doesn’t overwhelm us with more than we can handle at any given moment. This is the gentleness of divine communication – God speaks at the pace we can receive.
Second, the Spirit serves as Jesus’ voice to us.
He says,
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (Jn 16:13).
He says that the Spirit “will guide you into all the truth.” This isn’t generic guidance but specific direction into God’s truth. The Spirit doesn’t speak independently. He said, “He will not speak on his own,” but serves as the perfect transmitter of Christ’s ongoing words to us.
The Spirit receives from Jesus and declares it to us. Think of it like a divine communication system: the Father speaks to the Son, the Son speaks to the Spirit, and the Spirit speaks to us. We’re not cut off from God’s conversation; we’re invited into it through the Holy Spirit.
Third, the purpose is Christ’s glory and our relationship.
He says,
“He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:14).
The Spirit’s communication always points us to Jesus, deepens our relationship with him, and reveals more of his character and will.
This means that when people today long to hear Jesus speak, they’re not asking for something impossible. Jesus is speaking – through the Holy Spirit who dwells within every believer. The question is not whether Jesus is speaking, but whether we’re positioned to hear him.
Remember the flood story? The man was looking for God to save him, but he missed the boats and the helicopter God had already sent him. Similarly, we often miss Jesus’ voice through the Spirit because we’re expecting something more dramatic than the gentle, persistent ways Jesus communicates.
The Spirit doesn’t usually speak through burning bushes or audible voices. Instead, he speaks through the ordinary means of grace – through Scripture, through community, through circumstances, through the still small voice within our hearts.
The same Spirit who inspired the biblical writers now illuminates those scriptures for us. The same Spirit who guided the early church now guides us through mature believers and spiritual community.
So, how do we position ourselves to hear Jesus speak through the Holy Spirit? Let me provide you with a simple framework using the word ‘VOICE’ as a mnemonic acronym – because that’s exactly what we’re talking about: hearing Christ’s voice through the Spirit.
V – Value Stillness
God says,
“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Ps 46:10a).
In our noisy, hurried world, we’ve lost the art of stillness. The Holy Spirit often speaks in whispers, not shouts. Like Jesus, the Holy Spirit nudges, not pushes. So, you need to pay attention the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit.
Set aside 10-15 minutes daily for quiet listening prayer. Not just talking to God but creating space for God to speak to you. Turn off the phone, close the computer, and simply be still in God’s presence.
Ask, “Dear Lord, what do you want to say to me today?” Then listen. The Holy Spirit who lives within you will speak, but you must create a quiet space to hear.
O – Open Scripture Expectantly
Paul says,
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” (2 Ti 3:16-17).
The word “inspired” is translated from Greek, which means “breathed.” So, the Bible is God breathed. Spirit in both Hebrew and Greek means “breath,” “wind,” or “air.” Therefore, it also means the Holy Spirit inspired the biblical writers to record their inspiration.
The good news is that the Spirit who inspired Scripture also illuminates it for us today. When you read the Bible, don’t just read for information – read expectantly, asking “Dear Holy Spirit, what is Jesus saying to me through this passage?”
Look for verses that seem to jump off the page, passages that speak directly to your current situation, or familiar scriptures that suddenly reveal new meaning. The Spirit loves to speak through the written word because it’s already proven to be God’s voice.
I – Invite Counsel from Mature Believers
King Solomon said,
“Without counsel, plans go wrong,
but with many advisers they succeed.” (Pr 15:22).
God often speaks through the community of faith, particularly through spiritually mature believers, known as elders. Proverbs tell us that there is wisdom in many advisers. When facing important decisions, seek input from trusted elders, mentors, or spiritual friends.
The Spirit works through the body of Christ, and often what you need to hear will come through another believer’s perspective or wisdom. Don’t try to discern God’s will in isolation – invite others into the conversation.
Years ago, when Margaret Johnson considered moving to a retirement home, she struggled to decide because she didn’t want to leave her church community here, but the cost of retirement here was significantly higher than in the other place she found in Pennsylvania. Through prayer and discernment, she felt that she should move to Pennsylvania, but she still invited her pastor and fellow elders to help her make a final decision.
That’s the value of the community. Invite counsel from mature believers.
C – Check for Confirmations
John said,
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jn 4:1).
The Spirit rarely speaks through just one channel. Look for multiple confirmations of what you’re sensing. Does the guidance you’re receiving through prayer also align with what you’re reading in Scripture? Does it match the counsel you’re receiving from mature believers? Are circumstances opening doors in the same direction?
When God is truly speaking, he usually provides multiple witnesses to confirm his voice. Years ago, when I was in San Francisco, my pastor advised me to consider attending the seminary and becoming a pastor. I wonder if it was God’s calling to me through him, but I did not respond to him. Later, another pastor told me the same thing, which reinforced the calling.
After multiple confirmations, I felt the call was clearly from God, but I wanted the last confirmation. I visited the San Francisco Theological Seminary and submitted my application. I didn’t believe I qualified, but I took their acceptance as the final confirmation that God has called me and opened the door for me.
E – Examine Your Peace
Jesus says,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (Jn 14:27).
Jesus said this when he promised to send the Holy Spirit to talk to us. That means the voice of the Holy Spirit brings Jesus’ special peace to you. One way to discern whether you are hearing God’s voice is by whether you experience peace or a troubled heart.
The Holy Spirit’s voice typically brings deep peace, even when it challenges us. Learn to distinguish between true peace and mere comfort. God’s peace can exist even in difficult circumstances, while false peace often evaporates under pressure.
When you sense God’s guidance, examine the peace (or lack thereof) in your heart. The Spirit’s voice brings what Paul calls “the peace that surpasses understanding.”
Remember, these aren’t just techniques – they’re ways of positioning ourselves to hear the voice of Jesus, who promised to keep speaking to us through his Spirit. The Spirit who dwells within you wants to communicate.
Jesus has more to say to you than you can currently bear, but he’ll reveal it at the pace you can receive it.
Let me close with this encouraging truth: Jesus is speaking to you today. Not sometime in the distant future, not just in emergencies, but today.
The same Jesus who walked with the disciples, who taught the crowds, who spoke words of comfort and challenge – that Jesus continues to speak through his Spirit who lives within you.
The man in the flood missed his rescue because he was looking for God to work differently than God was actually working. Don’t make the same mistake. Jesus is sending you rowboats, rescue boats, and helicopters – through Scripture, through stillness, through spiritual community, through circumstances, through the peace that comes from his Spirit.
Practice VOICE this week:
- Value stillness in daily prayer
- Open Scripture expectantly
- Invite counsel from mature believers
- Check for multiple confirmations
- Examine the peace in your heart
Jesus’ voice, conveyed through the Holy Spirit, is gentle yet persistent, personal yet grounded in Scripture, challenging yet full of grace.
So, stop waiting for God to speak. Start listening to how Jesus is already speaking through his Spirit. The conversation has already begun – you just need to join it.
As you leave today, remember: you are not alone, you are not without guidance, and you are not cut off from God’s voice. The Spirit of truth lives within you, ready to guide you into all truth, ready to speak what he receives from Jesus, ready to glorify Christ in your life.
Listen for his voice. He’s already speaking.
That’s it for today. Until we meet again, keep your light shining brighter and broader, harvesting the fruits of profound freedom, felicity, and fulfillment.
Amen!
Bye now!
